Eric Mason, from Prime Wine & Spirits offers a sample of food-friendly wines to a guest at the 2nd Annual Food and Wine Festival of Lake Oconee.

A frothy white tent surrounded by the tantalizing smell of fresh food and sultry wines greeted attendees of the 2nd annual Food and Wine Festival on Saturday. 14 food and wine vendors were featured during the festival, and the excitement pulsing through the tent was palpable. The festival offered guests a portfolio of multi-national wines of French, Italian and California origin, as well as other parts of the world, and a chance to taste delectable goodies from restaurants throughout the Putnam, Baldwin and Greensboro area.

The festival also showcased a live and silent auction, which featured an array of items such as pet spa stays and veterinary visits, rounds of golf, designer sunglasses, as well as designer jewelry and handbags. Larger ticket items like trips to Madison and Athens, as well as Botox treatments, Chiropractic care, and hot air balloon rides were heavily coveted items. Of course, local restaurants also offered gift cards and numerous other items were also available during the silent auction.

Riezl Baker, part of the organizing committee for the event, is married to Chairman Ted Baker. An entire committee helped to organize the festival, which takes an entire year of planning.

“This year, we were overwhelmed with how successful the event was. We had about 500 people attend the festival this year and everyone had a wonderful time. John and Tina McCrary just purchased a second home here at the lake recently, and saw the signs for the Festival and signed up for both Friday and Saturday’s festivities. They said it was one of the best events they have ever been to,” Baker said.

This year, the Food and Wine Festival kicked off with a Vintner Dinner on Friday evening at the Ritz Carlton to set the tone for the weekend. Guests enjoyed a 5-course dinner by Ritz Carlton Chef Yann Chupin, paired with wines from Maison Louis Latour Vineyard. Tickets for the Vinter Dinner were $150 a person. The Festival was held the next day and tickets to the festival were $50 a person.

“Our live auction was by a professional auctioneer and it was very lively. One of the items that was very popular and sparked interest were the Zac Brown Concert tickets and VIP meet and greet. We also had a trip to Alaska that was very popular,” Baker said.

Although the Food and Wine Festival is a fundraiser, the event seeks to become one of Lake Oconee’s premier events. The event takes an entire year to plan, and next week the committee will begin planning for next year’s festival.

“We simply could not have done it without Ted Baker and the rest of the organizing committee. Fred Bradley, Debbie McCowan, Amanda Hopkins, Jennifer Mercer, Maggie Moran and Andrea Gable have worked so tirelessly to make this event a success,” Baker said.

The proceeds go towards The Redeemer Episcopal Academy, a private school that educates students in the area. The money will finance enrichment programs for the school.

“They really pride themselves on academic excellence. Redeemer is an independent, faith-based, college preparatory school located in the Lake Oconee area. Redeemer offers a world-class education in an enriching and nurturing environment that embraces diversity, and promotes respect, integrity, values and responsibilities,” Baker said.

Ted Baker, the Chairmen of the event, could not have been any happier with the turnout and success of the festival. Baker said via an emailed quote, “The 2011 Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival was a tremendous success in so many ways. Not only did we raise a large sum of money, but also I can honestly say that we now are competing at the highest level with other select events throughout the Southeastern United States. I am so grateful for our regional and local sponsors, volunteers, close to 500 attendees, wine vendors, vintners, restaurants, chefs, and donors to the silent and live auction. Locally, this is by far the most exciting charity auction at the Lake and demonstrates the overwhelming generosity and spirit in our area. Of particular note this year was the partnership with the Ritz Carlton Lodge and kickoff of our vintner dinner at Linger Longer. Featured winemaker, Charles Ducker from Louis Latour, and featured Ritz Carlton Executive Chef, Yann Chupin, created an incredible experience that set the bar extremely high for so many years to come. I am humbled by our success and so grateful for the many, many people that played a part in this very special annual event.”